Past Films

Mary Queen of Scots

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden

Director: Josie Rourke

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History

Rating: R

Running Time: 124 min.

Mary Queen of Scots explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart. Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth 1. Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth’s sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones – and change the course of history.

"What keeps the film from feeling like period-piece amber, all whispered alliances and wiggery, is the keenly feminist sensibility of first-time director Josie Rourke (her background is largely in theater) and the fierce charisma and complicated humanity of its two leads, sovereigns till the end. "

- Leah Greenblatt, Entertainment Weekly

"A history lesson with more fire in the belly than most. It turns out that a feminist angle really can revive the same old Tudor psychodramas, thanks in large part to Ronan and Robbie’s authoritative performance."

- Helen O'Hara, Empire

"The most spirited heart and poignant soul of "Mary Queen of Scots" are Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie as Mary and Elizabeth, whose contradictory relationship accommodates hostility, jealousy, admiration and sisterly love with affecting seamlessness."

- Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

"An epic look at the intimate frustrations of two massively powerful young women who spend most of their energy navigating between who they are and what they represent."

- David Ehrlich, indieWire

"Acknowledges both the struggles of women and the fact that people of color have always been part of society, even during the Renaissance and Age of Discovery."